GPC Ask the Experts North America/
USA & Canada Dry Beans

SESSION SPONSOR

Analyst:
• Alejandro Leloir, U.S. Dry Bean Council

Moderator:
• Joe Cramer, Michigan Bean Commission

Panelist:
• Caleb Sundblad, Cooperative Elevator
• Marion Hunt, Hensall District Co-operative
• Courtney Schuler, Trinidad Benham
• Pierfrancesco Sportelli, Kelley Bean Co.
• Travis Green, ADM

In the GPC’s Ask the Experts North America: US & Canada Dry Beans session, Joe Cramer of the Michigan Bean Commission was joined by analyst Alejandro Leloir of the US Dry Bean Council and panelists Caleb Sundblad of Cooperative Elevator, Pierfrancesco Sportelli of Kelley Bean Co., Courtney Schuler of Trinidad Benham, Marion Hunt of Hensall District Co-operative and Jason Burns of ADM to discuss the market outlook for beans in the US and Canada. 

In his presentation, Mr. Leloir presented data indicating that in most US states, the planted area of dry beans went down due to competition from soybeans and corn. This was partially compensated by an increase in yield in some states however most states showed decreased production compared to last year. The total harvested area for US & Canada beans in 2021 was projected to be around 563 thousand hectares, yield was estimated at 1.88 MT/hectare and production at around 1 million MT. 

Breaking it down into types of bean, Mr. Leloir’s data showed that total production of navies was around 233 thousand MT, which is fairly average, with Canadian exports going mainly to the UK, Italy, New Zealand and Japan and US exports mainly to Mexico, the UK and Canada. For black beans, the total production number is around 257 thousand MT, which is also average, and most Canadian exports go to the US, Mexico and Venezuela while US exports go to Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. Regarding pintos, following a bumper 2020 crop, total production will be lower than average due to smaller yields in North Dakota and is estimated at around 468 thousand MT. The main export markets for the US are Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti and Angola, Mexico and the US for Canada. Total production of Great Northern beans is around 83 thousand MT, which is slightly above the 3-year average. Greece, France and Türkiye are the main export markets for Canada and the Philippines, Malaysia and Australia for the US.  

Dark red kidney bean production was estimated at 83 thousand MT with Italy, the UK and France being the main export markets for Canada and Italy, Canada and Germany for the US. Light red kidney bean production is above average for 2021 at around 65 thousand MT, although it is decreased from last year. Mr. Leloir noted that consumption is growing everywhere and production is struggling to keep up with the demand, going on to say that main export markets for Canada are the US, Portugal and Panama and Panama, Canada and French West Indies for the US. Regarding small red beans, production is above average at around 50 thousand MT and exports were seen to be increasing in the US. For cranberries, production is estimated at 33 thousand MT, a number which is up from the average and increased from last year. 

Mr. Leloir cited some factors affecting consumption and demand such as new uses for dry beans in fractionation, the possible resolution of the dispute between the US and the EU, availability of stocks and the shipping crisis.

During the panel discussion, quality and harvest status was discussed per state and panelists agreed that it was difficult to predict how supply and demand would be but that the balance sheet was expected to be tight going into the new crop year. Ms. Hunt commented on the potential increased European demand for Canadian and US beans. Ms. Schuler, talking about competing crops, mentioned the additional competition from livestock feed as well as corn and wheat, as well as the influence water has in motivating growers to choose beans over corn. Mr. Sundblad added that soybeans will present competition for beans in Michigan and stressed that as next year begins the market will be unpredictable since the ball is in the growers’ court.